The World of Baseball

Prospecting-A look from every angle

2009-06-01T13:04:00.002-10:00

Hey, I'm going to start a new section called Prospecting, which will examine young players and their impact on both fantasy baseball and the card collecting hobby. Prospectors are people who are looking to make money in the baseball card hobby by finding and buying cards of young prospects before they make it big, and then selling these cards when their value skyrockets. Deep leagues are leagues with over 12 teams, Medium leagues are leagues with 8-12 teams, and Shallow leagues are leagues with less than 8 teams. Keeper leagues are leagues that allow teams to carry over some or all of their players from year to year.

Kris Medlen-After a forgettable debut in which he threw multiple pitches to the backstop that would have gone behind a left-handed batter, Medlen settled down to strike out nine in six innings and getting a win over the Diamondbacks. While he has been overshadowed by the hype surrounding fellow Braves prospect and pitcher Tommy Hanson, Medlen got called up before Hanson by the Braves.

Prospectors: Medlen's key cards are are from 2006 Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome Draft. Right now, decent sized lots of his Chrome RC are going at pretty high prices, so if you have a bunch of those, now would probably be a good time to sell. If you have any Chrome parallels, especially lower numbered Refractors, you will probably never get more than right now for those.

Deep League Managers: If he hasn't been picked up already, you should pick him up now. Even if you are deep in pitching, a trade to a team with less pitching could net you a decent hitter. If you already have him, and are deep in pitching, now would be a great time to trade him as his value is probably at or near its peak.

Medium League Managers: Just like in deep leagues, if he hasn't been picked up yet, he should be picked up ASAP. Pitching is probably not as thin in these leagues, but if a team is looking for pitching, Medlen could net you something decent. Especially if you have an extra bench spot, Medlen should be picked up immediately.

Shallow League Managers: If you're thin on pitching, you should probably take a flier on Medlen. If not, you should probably wait a couple more starts to see if he is the real deal.

Keeper League Managers: I'm almost positive that if your league is competitive at all, Medlen is owned by someone in your league already. If you are one of the lucky ones to own Medlen, his trade value will not be higher any time soon. However, if you are thinking of trading him, you must get something valuable for him. Don't give him away, as he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher for the Braves for a while.

Wesbite Focus-Hawk to the Hall

2009-05-28T12:52:00.002-10:00

After my blog on player collectors, the Dawson collector I wrote about led me to find another website made by a huge Dawson fan and collector, Hawk to the Hall. Not only is he a huge Dawson fan, he is also a huge Cubs fan, as seen by the pretty sick Cubs cards he has on his website. If you are a baseball card collector, I would advise taking a look at some of his collections. Amazing. If you have time, I would highly advise you to check out his site.

A Look at the Hobby-Player Collectors

2009-05-27T14:20:00.012-10:00

Something that I will try to do regularly will be called "A Look at the Hobby". It will focus on the collecting of baseball cards, and will feature articles on various topics within the hobby.

Today, I will be focusing on player collectors. Player collectors collect all types of players, from stars like Derek Jeter and David Wright to relative unknowns like Clete Thomas. Reasons vary from a childhood visit to the ballpark to the lifetime support of a team. Some collections are incredibly extensive, like the Hee Seop Choi collection belonging to Meliah of The Bench, located at thebenchtrading.com, a sports card trading website. His own personal website can be found here, where his collection is displayed. He owns at least one copy of 82.4% of every different card made of Choi. Perhaps an even more impressive figure is the fact that he owns 2.5% of Choi's serial numbered print run, meaning that of every single serial numbered card of Choi produced, he owns 2.5% of them. While that may seem like a small number, you must take into account the fact that approximately 46,975 serial numbered cards of Choi have been produced, and Meliah possesses 1182 of them. If you think you may have a Choi card he needs, please feel free to email him through his website.

Another impressive collection is this Andre Dawson collection, which features at least one copy of 60% of every different card made of Dawson. While 60% may seem small compared to the Choi collection, Dawson has over 2500 cards, while Choi has slightly over 500 cards. Both are impressive, the Choi collection because of its comprehensiveness and the Dawson collection because of its sheer number. In fact, Loyalty32, also found at The Bench, owns 12 1/1's, 299 game-used and patch cards, 257 serial numbered inserts, 260 pack-certified autographs, and 172 in-person or through-the-mail autographs of The Hawk. In fact, he is so passionate about his collection that he even collects checklists that have Dawson's name. If that doesn't show you a true player collector, I'm not sure what will. If you think you have something that can be found on his want list, please email him at hlrzr32@aol.com.

One word of warning, however, to potential player collectors. In no way am I discouraging player collections, but if you are thinking of starting one, please ask yourself these questions:

-Will I still collect this player if he leaves the current team he is on?
-What am I trying to accomplish with this player collection?
-Why am I collecting this player?

If you think that you won't collect a certain player if he leaves his current team, you should be cautious in starting a player collection. While it may be something fun while he is with his current team, what will happen if he does leave? Will you still collect him, or will you no longer be as much of a fan. If you don't think you'll collect him after he leaves, you will be left with a collection that doesn't have a lot of value to you that you have most likely put a lot of time and money into. If that is something you can deal with, by all means, have at it.

When starting a player collection, goals are often set. If you will only feel accomplished if you have collected a copy of every card produced of this player, beware to be disappointed. With the increase in production of 1/1s, printing plates, etc., collecting one of every card will be incredibly hard. Something else to watch is your competition. You will most likely not be the only person collecting that player, and many cards will disappear into other people's collections and not come out. If you are merely trying to get as many different cards of a certain player as you can, than you will probably enjoy your collection a lot more.

People start player collection's for many reasons, such as a love for their favorite team, a childhood memory, or a new "man crush" based on footage from ESPN. Having a favorite player is one thing, starting a player collection is another. Having a favorite player is free, while player collections usually have a lot of time and money invested into them. If you are doing it just because everyone else is, the novelty draw will soon wear off, and you will have a collection that you're just not in to anymore. However, if you really feel like you will enjoy your collection, no matter the value or the comprehensiveness, I would recommend it.

One of the craziest aspect of player collecting is the incredibly rare minor league, international or regional issues from the 80's and 90's. When these make their not-so-often appearances on eBay, like this 1986 Will Clark card that went for over $75. While most Clark cards, along with cards of almost every other player from the 1980's, will be lucky to fetch $1, these rare regional issues and parallels draw the attention of player collectors and grins from sellers. If you ever see an auction with what is seemingly a ridiculous price, you can usually chalk it up to the die-hard player collectors.

Player collections can be very rewarding, as it can be a tangible way to show your love of your favorite player. While it will most likely take a lot of time and money, I recommend it to those who are brave enough to enter the ranks of the player collector.

Website Focus-Seattle Autograph Site

2009-05-27T13:08:00.002-10:00

If any of you are autographs fan, you have to check this site out. His quest is to collect an auto of every past and present Seattle sports athlete, and he is well on his way. Even if you aren't a Seattle fan, you will still be impressed by the sheer number of autographs he has collected.

http://home.comcast.net/~thewahlgrens/

Lineup Card Errors

2009-05-21T22:08:00.003-10:00

Has anyone else noticed the two mistakes in lineup cards recently. First, Joe Maddon lists Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist both at 3B, when Longoria was supposed to be given a rest and placed at DH. So, instead of having Longoria at DH, the Rays had...Andy Sonnastine hitting 3rd. Luckily, Sonnastine happens to be a decent hitting pitcher, going 1-3 with an RBI double. In fact, going into the game, Sonnastine has a career BA of .400. While it may be in only 10 at-bats, the Rays may be onto something.

Yesterday, Cecil Cooper had listed Kaz Matsui at leadoff and Michael Bourn hitting second. However, Brewers manager Ken Macha alerted umpires that Bourn had just led off the game with a single. The umpires had no choice but to call Matsui out, and Bourn had to bat again, this time drawing a walk. With Bourn's career OBP of .312, he could have used the extra hit.

Luckily for both teams, their lineup miscue did not cost them the game, as both ended up winning. However, Andy Sonnastine will not forget this start anytime soon, and Michael Bourn will soon be wishing he could get on-base once, let alone twice, a game.

Fantasy Tips

2009-05-20T16:22:00.006-10:00

I will try to post a fantasy tips article at least once a week, highlighting players that you should keep on eye on.

Matt Harrison, SP, TEX: While Harrison may be old news to some, he is not owned in more leagues than he is owned in, and there is a huge disparity between the two. This year, Harrison is 4-2 and is coming off two straight complete game victories. He threw a four-hit shutout on May 8 against the White Sox, and then threw a two-run, seven strikeout complete game over the Mariners on the 14th. While the seven strikeouts may be an aberration, his success is not. In his past four starts, all victories, Harrison has given up only six runs over 30 innings, including 22 straight scoreless innings. While he won't strike many batters out, his success lies in his control. He has walked only two men in his last four starts, after walking 11 in his first three. Even though he is a Ranger, so far, this has not hurt him. His last four starts have been split evenly between at home and on the road. If you are looking for a starting pitcher off the waiver wire, look no further than Matt Harrison.

Kendry Morales, 1B, LAA: When Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees in the off season, it opened a door for Morales to display the potential he had been flashing for years. Morales is delivering solid numbers now that he has been giving a starting role, with eight home runs and 26 RBI through 37 games. These numbers are solid for a first baseman, but with Morales' dual eligibility in the outfield as well, his numbers are even better. While he may not keep up the 35 HR, 114 RBI pace, Morales looks to provide a decent 1B/OF option for the rest of the year.

Edwin Jackson, SP, DET: For years, Jackson has provided tantalizing potential with equally frustrating control problems and the tendency to give up the gopher ball. Last year, he took a step towards consistency, recording a 14-11 record while decreasing his amount of walks by 11 while pitching 21.2 more innings. This year, he has kept both his walks and home runs down, walking only 11 in 52 innings, while giving up only four home runs. If Jackson is still on your waiver wire, pick him up now.

Zach Duke, SP, PIT: Even though Duke plays for the Pirates, his stats so far should not be ignored. While he very rarely misses bats, Duke has still compiled a 5-3 record with a 2.84 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09. Whether he wins or loses really depends on how his offense does, as the Pirate's offense has averaged almost nine runs a game in Duke's victories, and one run a game in his losses. Duke has gone at least six innings in all but one of his starts this year, and his ability to limit his walks and keep the ball in the park look promising. While he may not be a consistent supply of wins, look for Duke to maintain a sub 4.00 ERA throughout the rest of the year. If you are having problems with your starting rotation, look to see if you can pick up Duke to give you a boost.

Transition

2009-05-20T16:20:00.001-10:00

Hey,

I'll be transitioning to a more baseball-oriented blog, with focuses on baseball history, fantasy baseball, baseball cards and current baseball news. I will try to post every day, or at least every other day. If you have any feedback, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks!

packerbacker11

5/13 Game 5 DAL/DEN

2009-05-13T19:39:00.002-10:00

Another has fallen.

After showing hope in a 119-117 win over the Nuggets on Sunday, the Mavericks could not hold off the Nuggets today, falling 4-1 in the West Semifinals. Backed by 30 points from Carmelo Anthony and 28 from Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets ran all over the Mavericks in a shootout. While the Mavericks kept the game relatively close, the Nuggets never really worried, getting points from all over. The Mavericks didn't help their cause by getting assessed three technical fouls, especially one by Antoine Wright following an Anthony 3-pointer that increased the lead to 10. I'm sure Nugget's families are lamenting this Game 5 win, however, as they will not be able to enjoy Game 6 from Mark Cuban's suite, as promised, when "the series returns to Dallas."

PS-If anyone is reading my blogs, please let me know. Any feedback is appreciated. Even if you just are letting me know I have an audience, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Game 4 DEN/DAL, CLE/ATL

2009-05-11T20:01:00.003-10:00

Two 3-0 series, two teams looking to sweep, two looking to get away from the broom.

The Cavaliers were successful in their quest to sweep the Hawks, beating them 84-74 in a game where LeBron wasn't the only guy scoring for the Cavaliers. Delonte West added 21, Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 14, and Mo Williams added 12 points on four threes to help LeBron and Co. sweep the Hawks. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson combined for 44 points, but it wasn't enough as the Cavaliers defense dominated, only allowing the Hawks to top 20 points in a quarter in the first. The Hawks finally realized that they needed to stop LeBron, sending double-and triple-teams at him, but he utilized his passing skills to constantly give a teammate an open shot.

The Hawks were absolutely dismal on offense, and previous injuries to Marvin Williams and Al Horford didn't help as Williams scored four and Horford went scoreless. Flip Murray scored 14 points, but had to do his best Jamal Crawford impression to do it, shooting 4-of-15 from the field, including 1-5 from downtown. The sad part was that Coach Mike Woodson had no one better to play, as Murray played over 32 minutes while shooting any time he got the ball past half-court.

The Nuggets/Mavericks game was a lot closer, and for the first time all series, the Mavericks took a game from the Nuggets. Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony went head-to-head all game, dropping 44 and 41, respectively. Nowitzki was very impressive, hitting a clutch, turnaround jumper with 1:05 left, and he hit several free throws down the stretch. Josh Howard pulled out a gutsy performance, scoring 21 points, grimacing on every one.

Chauncey Billups dropped 24 points on well-timed threes and seemingly undefended drives to the baskets, and J.R. Smith scored 19 points, including a lucky impressive three as the shot clock went off. Chris "Birdman" Andersen was out today with a stomach flu, and his presence was dearly missed today as the Mavericks broke 105 points for the first time all series. Tempers flared throughout the game, with the referees calling seven technicals, four on the Mavs and three on the Nuggets.

In a series where the Mavericks looked like they were just trying to keep up with the Nuggets, they showed a hustle that had not been seen yet. Whether or not they bring it back in Game 5 is another story.

5/10-Daily recap of the MLB

2009-05-10T19:08:00.009-10:00

On this Mother's Day, with batters swinging pink bats and Mother's Day commercials airing during games, baseball would continue. Here's a look:

Houston 12, San Diego 5-Roy Oswalt won his first game of the season, giving up 4 runs over 6 innings, but the offense was the real story. Every starter, including Oswalt, got a hit, and Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada both drove in four while each had a home run, and Pudge Rodriguez added a two-run shot to deep center.

Detroit 5, Cleveland 3-The Indians finally scored after being held scoreless for 22 innings, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers would hold off a ninth inning rally in which Fernando Rodney would give up an RBI double to Asdrubal Cabrera and allow another run to score on a wild pitch. Curtis Granderson had two RBIs, and Jeff Larish added a solo home run to back up rookie Rick Porcello's 5 IP, 1 ER outing.

New York 5, Baltimore 3-Mark Teixeira hit a solo homer in the top of the first, but Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning to take the lead right back. However, in the 7th, Robinson Cano added a solo shot and Johnny Damon hit a three-run shot to take back the lead. Mariano bounced back from a poor outing on Thurday, when he gave up back-to-back home runs for the first time in his career, with a hitless ninth for the save.

Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 2-Kenshin Kawakami went six innings, striking out six and giving up two runs as the Braves beat the Phillies in Philadelphia. The Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the 6th on a Matt Stairs double, but the Braves took the lead back with a two-run single by Casey Kotchman in the 7th, and Rafael Soriano recorded his third save of the year. Chipper Jones left in the 7th with a sore elbow and is considered day to day.

New York 8, Pittsburgh 4-Livan Hernandez went six innings, giving up two runs and Luis Castillo, Carlos Beltran and Omir Santos all had a pair of RBIs as the Mets beats the Pirates 8-4.

St. Louis 8, Cinncinati 7-Micah Owings, the Reds pitcher, hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at seven, but Colby Rasmus hit an RBI double in the top of the 10th to take the lead, and Chris Perez got his first save of the year by coming in and getting the final out with the bases loaded in a game in which the teams combined for six home runs.

Texas 7, Chicago 1-Bartolo Colon gave up two home runs and walked a run in in a poor outing in which the Rangers tacked on four in the 5th. Hank Blalock hit two home runs to back up Vicente Padilla's one-hitter.

Chicago 4, Milwaukee 2-The Cubs scored all four runs in the third and Sean Marshall got his first win as a starter since July 2008 as the Cubbies beat the Brewers 4-2.

Seattle 5, Minnesota 3-Nick Blackburn went seven shutout innings, but got the no-decision once Ken Griffey Jr. hit a home run to deep right to tie the game in the eighth as the Mariners added four runs in the eighth to take the lead. Griffey's home run went through a hole in a banner that promised $25,000 to whoever could hit it through the hole. Brandon Morrow got Brendan Harris to ground out with the bases loaded in the ninth to record his sixth save of the year.

Colorado 3, Florida 2-In a game where Chris Volstad's foul ball bounced off the ground and knocked off his helmet (he was alright), the Rockies used a two-run first and an insurance run in the 5th to beat the Marlins, who got within one from a two-run 6th. Aaron Cook went six innings giving up one to get the win as the Rockies won their first one-run game of the season.

Los Angeles 4, Kansas City 3-Torii Hunter robbed a potential game-tying home run off the bat of Miguel Olivo in the top of the ninth to preserve a 4-3 win over the Royals. The Angels' bullpen was the hero in this one, going 5.1 innings without giving up a run after Shane Loux was pulled after 3.2 innings. Kyle Davies went 6 innings giving up 1 run, but got the no-decision for the Royals.

Toronto 5, Oakland 0-Brett Cecil pitched eight scoreless innings for his first win of the season and Alex Rios drove in three runs including a solo shot to back him up. Dallas Braden took a shot to the chest off the bat of Adam Lind, but was able to continue pitching.

Arizona 10, Washington 8-Ryan Zimmerman lengthened his hitting streak to 28 games, and Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham both hit two home runs in the game for the Nationals, but the Diamondbacks scored four in the sixth to take a 9-6 lead and never relinquished it after that to beat the Nationals in a slug fest.

Boston 4, Tampa Bay 3-The Rays had runners on first and third with no outs in the top of the ninth, but Jonahthan Papelbon was able to work out of the jam by striking out Carlos Pena and BJ Upton before getting Carl Crawford with two outs to get the save.

San Francisco 7, Los Angeles 5-Roses were handed out to mothers in attendance at Chavez Ravine, but the home crowd was disappointed as the Giants won the game in the 13th with a two-run double from Randy Winn after the Giants had taken the lead in the 12th with a sacrifice fly, but the Casey Blake homered in the bottom of the inning to tie the game up at 5.

Favorite Play of the Day:
Cinncinati's Micah Owings hit a pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 7.

Game 4 BOS/ORL Final

2009-05-10T18:50:00.003-10:00

Glen Davis.

On a team with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and even Eddie House, the man who beats the buzzer is...

Glen Davis?

As surprising as it may seem, with the Celtics down 94-93, Glen Davis hit one of his trademark mid-range jumpers to put the Celtics up 1 as the buzzer sounded. The same Glen Davis who KG made cry in a video that was seen by millions is now a hero in Boston and throughout the country.

On a night where Boston's starting five (including Davis) scored all but two of its points, where the teams shot a combined 6-for-37 from behind the stripe, anything could happen. And the improbable did happen.

Pierce had 27 points, Rondo and Davis both added 21, and Kendrick Perkins and Allen added 12 each, as Stephon Marbury, with two points, was the only non-starter to record a bucket. For the Magic, Dwight Howard had 23 points and 17 rebounds, with Rashard Lewis adding 22. Orlando kept it close all game before finally taking the lead in the fourth, only to see Glen Davis hit a 17-footer to win the game.

Amazing.

Sunday May 10-LA/HOU Game 4, ORL/BOS Game 4

2009-05-10T14:21:00.003-10:00

While the biggest news in the Rockets/Lakers series was Yao Ming's playoff-ending broken foot, the Rockets seemed not to notice. Behind defensive specialist Shane Battier's 5-for-10 shooting behind the stripe, including hitting his first four, and Aaron Brook's 34-point outburst on 12-of-20 shooting, the Rockets embarrased the Lakers, who came out flat with poor defense and lazy passes. From the start, the Rockets dominated, ending the first quarter already up by 13. The only ones who weren't surprised were the Rockets themselves, embodied by this quote from Battier,
"I think everyone but us got the memo that we weren't supposed to show up today without Yao."

The Lakers better come back in Game 5 mentally and physically sharp, or else risking another embarrasing defeat in Houston.

So far in today's Game 4 between Orlando and Boston, the two teams have traded baskets, with the Magic shooting threes and the Celtics penetrating the lane. With Dwight Howard getting his second foul with 5:26 left in the first, the Magic will need to keep the game close while he is out. Rajon Rondo leads all scorers with 8, while Paul Pierce has tallied 7. Hedo Turkoglu leads the Magic with 5, and three others have 4. J.J. Reddick got the start for the Magic at SG, and scored the game's first basket with a jumper.

Houston Texans-Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-10T13:54:00.002-10:00

The Texans entered this draft looking to fill holes on defense, which was ranked 22nd in the NFL last year. They succeeded, with five of their eight picks on the defensive side of the ball, and using their first pick on Brian Cushing. A look at their entire draft:

Round 1, Pick 15: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
The first out of four linebackers taken out of USC, Cushing can play either outside linebacker position for Houston. With his versatility, Houston will have many options when designing their blitz packages. Cushing looks to get on the field and have an impact immediately.

Round 2, Pick 46: Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cinncinati
Barwin will play primarily at DE for the 4-3 oriented Texans, but his versatility gives Houston more options when it comes to designing a defensive game plan. He looks to be the second pass rusher that will take some attention of Mario Williams in a few years.

Round 3, Pick 77: Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama
Caldwell has great versatility with the ability to play at all five positions on the offensive line. Displayed great talent against the tough defenses in the SEC, and has the potential to be a solid center for the Texans

Round 4, Pick 112: Glover Quin, CB, New Mexico
Not well-known, Quin started for three years at New Mexico and brings much needed youth and athleticism to a dismal Houston secondary. Like most mid- to late-round cornerbacks, he will need to make his name on special teams before he gets significant playing time.

Round 4, Pick 122: Anthony Hill, TE, North Carolina State
The best blocking tight end in the draft, Hill was one of two North Carolina tight ends taken (UNC's Richard Quinn was the other). He looks to immediately fill the role of blocking tight end, and will team with Owen Daniels to make a solid blocking/receiving combo.

Round 5, Pick 152: James Casey, TE, Rice
Some experts had him going as high as the late second round, so the Texans getting him here was a steal. Even though they had just picked a tight end, Casey is one of the most versatile players in the draft. He played tight end, fullback, quarterback, long snapper, and receiver in college, and could be a dangerous Wildcat threat. Look for Casey to find a way to get on the field.

Round 6, Pick 188: Brice McCain, CB, Utah
While undersized (5-9), McCain was one of the fastest players in the country. McCain will be able to work on his corner skills while getting playing time on special teams. In a few years, McCain's speed gives him the potential to be a play maker for the Texans

Round 7, Pick 223: Troy Nolan, S, Arizona State
Nolan has good speed and ball skills, but he struggled, along with his team, in 2008. The Texans got a lot of steals by taking players whose stock had fallen, and Nolan is no different.

Favorite Pick: Brian Cushing-A great player that adds to the star potential already on the defensive line (Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye) and at MLB (DeMeco Ryans), Cushing will immediately help a poor Texans defense. A four year starter at USC, look for Cushing to become a team leader and star for this young Texans team.

A look at 2009-
Positions to watch:
S-Currently, the Texans are projecting Nick Ferguson and Eugene Wilson as their starting safeties. Ferguson is turning 35 this year, and Wilson, while not a terrible player, would not start for most of the teams in the NFL. With the only safety taken being a 7th rounder, don't look for help anytime soon.
CB-While Dunta Robinson has displayed flashes of greatness, he has been injured too often to make an impact. Jacques Reeves, while still relatively young, hasn't displayed a lot of talent in his career. While the Texans have a pretty solid front seven, their defensive secondary needs work.
LB-By making Cushing their first pick, the Texans show that they are willing to try and improve their defense. With Cushing teaming up with DeMeco Ryans, the Texans will have a solid linebacking core for a long time.

Denver Broncos-Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-10T12:08:00.002-10:00

After the offseason's debacle between new coach Josh McDaniels and former QB Jay Cutler, the Broncos looked to the draft to take some attention off of the controversy. They went with a best player available approach, ignoring some of their needs. The new regime was obvious, as RB Knowshon Moreno was taken in the first round, contrary to the previous belief that running backs could be made from scratch. A look at their entire draft:

Round 1, Pick 12: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
A star running back from the SEC, Moreno looks to fit in well with new coach Josh McDaniel's preference for the spread. With his great hands and quickness, Moreno is very dangerous in the open field. While the Broncos could have used this pick on a defender that fits their new 3-4 scheme, Moreno was very worthy of this slot as well.

Round 1, Pick 18: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
With their other first-rounder, the Broncos picked a player that fits their 3-4 scheme in Ayers. He possesses great versatility, and can play both DE and OLB, and can even slide inside to DT in 4-3 packages. Ayers looks to make a big impact on the field for the Broncos this year.

Round 2, Pick 37: Alphonso Smith, CB, Vanderbilt
Just slightly on the short side (5-9), Smith gives the Broncos a play maker at corner who possesses the ability to make plays. The Broncos had to give up a 2010 first-round pick to acquire this pick, so expectations will be high for the diminutive corner.

Round 2, Pick 48: Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech
McBath, who started at corner before moving to safety, possesses great range and the Broncos have written him in to their long-range plans. With the Broncos' aging secondary, McBath's time may come sooner rather than later.

Round 2, Pick 64: Richard Quinn, TE, UNC
A surprise pick, even to Quinn, who wasn't expecting to be drafted so high. Even a late second-rounder is a little early for a blocking tight end who had all of 12 receptions in his career, especially considering the need for players who fit their 3-4 scheme.

Round 4, Pick 114: David Bruton, S, Notre Dame
While possessing great size and decent speed, Bruton plays much slower on the field than his time would indicate. Will need to start his career on special teams, and will most likely be an in-the-box safety if he gets to play at the NFL. However, compared to the aging players they have in Denver, Bruton's youth and athleticism drastically stands out.

Round 4, Pick 132: Seth Olsen, G, Iowa
Olsen has great versatility, possessing the ability to play both guard and center. Has very strong hands, and is considered very technically sound. If needed, Olsen could step in and play at guard right away.

Round 5, Pick 141: Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina
A converted quarterback, McKinley is a solid route-runner with great quickness who can play the slot very well. With the Broncos transitioning into more of a spread-type offense, McKinley will have an opportunity to get on the field.

Round 6, Pick 174: Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
At 6-5, 220, Brandstater possesses the size desired in a quarterback. However, his path is blocked by Kyle Orton and Chris Simms. Look for Denver to take time to develop him, trying to take advantage of his athleticism.

Round 7, Pick 225: Blake Schlueter, C, TCU
With Schlueter, it is merely a question of whether or not he can stay big enough to play on the offensive line in the NFL. He has great ability and quickness and can move to guard if necessary.

Favorite Pick: Seth Olsen-A great fit for the Broncos' spread formations, Olsen has great technique and can be counted on right away to make an impact for Denver. On a side note, the Broncos did not take as many players as they probably should have that fit their 3-4 system.

A look at 2009:
With the Broncos moving to a 3-4 defense, they needed to find the personnel to go with their scheme. A lot of their current players fit a 4-3 scheme, and not enough new players were brought in that fit their new system.
Positions to watch-
QB: Kyle Orton is no Jay Cutler, and he won't be expected to be him either. However, if Orton struggles early, no one will be happy. As long as Orton manages games well and doesn't try to do too much, he will be fine.
WR: Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler had incredible rapport, and Marshall will surely miss Cutler. Orton does not possess the athleticism or the arm that Cutler had, so Marshall will probably suffer. Eddie Royal, a successful slot-type receiver, will probably benefit from the space provided by the spread offense, especially on slants and curls, Orton's forte.
The Front Seven: The Broncos don't seem to have the personnel to fit the 3-4, and unless some of their players break out, they will suffer. The Broncos have room to improve, especially at D-line. This year's draft was full of 3-4 type players, but the Broncos, who had two first rounders, two seconds, and picked up a third second-rounder, only really took one.

Cleveland Browns- Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-10T11:23:00.002-10:00

Hey,

Sorry for not posting the last couple days. I haven't had access to my computer.

Anyway, since their rejoining the league, the Browns have been an example of ineptitude, disregarding the 2007 season, where they went 10-6. Their first pick, Tim Couch, was a huge bust, and they have constantly drafted poorly. However, in the past couple of years, their drafts have improved, netting them players like Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn. This year, they focused on the trenches and at receiver, including their number 1 pick, Alex Mack. Here's a look at their 2009 draft-

Round 1, Pick 21: Alex Mack, C, California
A versatile lineman, Mack can play anywhere on the interior line, hopefully fortifying this position for the Browns for years. Possesses great toughness and was the most talented of the centers in this year's draft.

Round 2, Pick 36: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
One of the most polished receivers in this year's draft, Robiskie is a great route-runner to go along with great hands. While he doesn't have great speed, he does have big play capability due to his excellent quickness.

Round 2, Pick 50: Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia
Not known for his work ethic and consistency, Massaquoi has the talent and size to play in the NFL. Needs to work on his hands and concentration, but may have greater potential than Robiskie.

Round 2, Pick 52: David Veikune, DE, Hawaii
As a defensive end at UH, Veikune possessed a never-ending motor and a great ethic. However, he will be asked to provide an instant pass-rush while changing positions. The Browns hope Veikune will take some of the attention away from OLB Kamerion Wimbley, and expectations will be high, as this was the pick the Browns received from the Jets in the Mark Sanchez.

Round 4, Pick 104: Kaluka Maiava, LB, USC
The fourth linebacker taken from USC, Maiava has great versatility and can play both inside linebacker positions in the NFL. While he may have been overshadowed by his more well-known teammates, he showed that he deserved to be in the NFL at his workouts.

Round 6, Pick 177: Don Carey, CB, Norfolk State
While Carey did come from a small school, he was a four year starter at Norfolk State. He will have to prove his worth on special teams first, while adding depth to the poor Cleveland secondary.

Round 6, Pick 191: Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
Experts expected Francies to go a lot earlier, especially considering he was considered better than his teammate, Christopher Owens, who was picked in the third. In a draft full of undersized corners, Francies possesses the size (6-0) and skills to be successful in the NFL. Like Carey, he will have to prove his worth on special teams first, but has the potential to make an impact in the NFL.

Round 6, Pick 195: James Davis, RB, Clemson
The "Thunder" in Clemson's "Thunder and Lightning", Davis paired with Clemson RB C.J. Spiller to make what was supposed to be a dangerous running attack. Unfortunately, Clemson's offense disappointed last year, and their running game was no exception. Davis was regarded higher after his junior season, and his struggles in his senior year caused him to drop to the sixth round. He will look to compete for a backup role behind Browns RB Jamal Lewis.

Favorite Pick: Coye Francies-Expected to go in the third or fourth round, the Browns got a steal with Francies in the sixth. Especially with their poor secondary, Francies has a shot to compete for a spot on the field as early as this year.

Season Preview: The Brown's draft will be known more for the Sanchez trade than for any of the players they did pick. They picked up two potential starters that played for new coach Eric Mangini in New York, as well as a 2nd rounder. However, more holes need to be filled, especially wide receiver.
Positions to watch:
WR-While they did pick up two receivers in the draft, history shows that receivers usually don't make an impact in their rookie campaign. If the Browns do find a taker for Braylon Edwards, they will start a returner (Josh Cribbs) and either a rookie or a career backup (David Patten). No matter which quarterback the Browns start, they both need someone to throw to.
TE-The Browns picked up Robert Royal, but he wasn't great in his previous stint in Buffalo. The projected starter, Steve Heiden, last scored in 2006, and had an impressive YPG average with 17.9. The Browns are hoping that second-year player Martin Rucker will flash some of the potential he showed at Missouri.
FS-With the loss of Sean Jones, the Browns picked up Abram Elam from the Jets in the Mark Sanchez trade. A starter for Eric Mangini in New York, the Browns are looking to start Elam, pushing Mike Adams out of his projected starting role, which he possessed for all of two months.

Cinncinati Bengals-Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-07T18:56:00.002-10:00

Like most teams, the Bengals entered the draft needing help in the trenches. They got what they needed on the offensive line with OT Andre Smith in the first round. A look at the rest of their draft:

Round 1, Pick 6: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Once considered a top-3 pick, weight and maturity problems caused Smith's draft stock to slide. His shirtless 40-yard dash is not a sight anyone who witnessed will soon forget. However, the Bengals, not known for their caution when it comes to behavioral problems, were eager to snap him up with the sixth pick of the draft. Even with this issues, Smith was one of the best tackle, if not one of the best, prospects in the draft.

Round 2, Pick 38: Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC
A hard-hitting linebacker from USC, Maualuga offers some much needed energy to the Bengals defense. However, concerns about his discipline and control caused his draft stock to slide. Paired with last year's first rounder, Keith Rivers, the Bengals appear to have a solid defensive foundation for years to come.

Round 3, Pick 70: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
A top-10 pick if he had come out last year, Johnson has all the physical attributes of a top pass-rusher. However, questions about his consistency and desire to play caused him to slide immensely. When he played hard, he was unstoppable.

Round 3, Pick 98: Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
One of the best pass-catching tight ends in the draft, the Bengals look to use Coffman's versatility to spread him out all over the field. Once he develops as a blocker, Coffman has the potential to be a perennial Pro-Bowler.

Round 4, Pick 106: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas
Luigs won the Rimington Award in 2007, but his play in 2008 tailed off. While he may need to put on some weight to deal with opponents 3-4 nose tackles, he has the smarts and experience (four-year starter) to make an impact in the NFL.

Round 5, Pick 142: Kevin Huber, P, Cinncinati
One of the best punters in the draft, Huber has the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory with his directional kicks. However, with the holes this team is looking to fill, this pick may have been better served elsewhere.

Round 6, Pick 179: Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan
Relying on his athleticism, Trent plays much slower on the field than in workouts. Needs to work on his technique and willingness to tackle, but his physical attributes will get him looks.

Round 6, Pick 209: Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian
Scott was successful in college, albeit at a lower level and at the age of 25. Has the potential to be a solid third-down back in the NFL, but his off-the-field problems must be watched. Was kicked off a high school and college team, and has had several run-ins with police.

Round 7, Pick 215: Fui Vakapuna, RB, BYU
Looks to play fullback in the NFL, and has the size (5-11, 244) to do so. Can also give the Bengals a decent short yardage option.

Round 7, Pick 249: Clinton McDonald, DE, Memphis
McDonald looks to move inside and offer an interior pass rush. His athleticism gives him a shot to make the team.

Round 7, Pick 252: Freddie Brown, WR, Utah.
Brown caught the attention of scouts at the Senior Bowl, especially with his height (6-3). With the muddled receiver mess in Cinncinati, Brown has a shot to make the team. A bit raw, he is willing to go over the middle.

Favorite Pick: Jonathan Luigs-I'm a sucker for building blocks in the trenches, and Luigs is just that. Obviously has the potential to be a solid center for years, he just needs to put it all together. With Smith and Luigs, the Bengals have two pieces to build their offensive line around.

A look at 2009-
Positions to Watch:
WR: Even with the signing of Laveraneus Coles, if Ocho Cinco becomes unhappy again, the Bengals will have another problem. After Johnson and Coles, the Bengals don't have much consistent help at the position. Also, keep an eye on Chris Henry to see if he has finally gotten his act together.
OT: With Stacy Andrews signing with the Eagles, and Levi Jones soon to be released, the Bengals are banking on Andre Smith filling one of the starting roles at tackle. If he doesn't, or the Bengals can't find another bookend, another long season could be in order for the Bengals.
LB: Finally, a ray of hope for the Bengals. Keith Rivers displayed potential before a broken jaw ended his season, and Rey Maualuga adds energy and youth to the linebacking core. If these two have a chance to develop, they, along with CBs Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, can be the core of this defense for years.

Buffalo Bills-Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-06T19:07:00.003-10:00

The Buffalo Bills entered the draft with quite a few holes to fill, especially at OT and DE. They filled their DE need with Aaron Maybin, and drafted a couple of offensive lineman. However, this draft was more than just two people:

Round 1, Pick 11: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
The Bills desperately need a pass rush, and Maybin is their man. He recorded 12 sacks in his final season and offers the Bills the dynamic pass rusher that they have needed. Not only will this pick help their D-line, it will help the secondary by putting pressure on the quarterback

Round 1, Pick 28: Eric Wood, C, Louisville
The Bills are completely retooling their offensive line, and the versatile Wood should make things easier. He has the size and skills to play anywhere on the line, and his appearance should help ease the pain of the loss of OT Jason Peters

Round 2, Pick 42: Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon
While on the short side (like most DBs in this draft), Byrd gives the Bills an aggressive ballhawk in the secondary. With his 17 career interceptions as a Duck, he looks to compete for a backup role on this year's squad.

Round 2, Pick 51: Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State
Levitre played tackle at OSU, but is better fit to play at guard in the NFL. However, with the dismantling of the offensive line, he may be able to return to his previoius position. His versatility, like Wood's, will give the Bills more options when they piece their line back together.

Round 4, Pick 121: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Mississipi
Nelson has the height (6-5) and the hands to play in the NFL, but like many rookie tight ends, his blocking needs work. With the release of Robert Royal, the Bills don't have a definite starter at TE. With his ability to create mismatches and the lack of competition, Nelson may see the field often during his rookie season.

Round 5, Pick 147: Nic Harris, S, Oklahoma
While he starred at safety for the Sooners, he looks to move to linebacker in the NFL. As he develops at his new position, his speed will allow him to make an immediate impact on special teams.

Round 6, Pick 183: Cary Harris, CB, USC
Always willing to lay a hit, Harris makes up for his lack of size with his intensity and physicality. Unfortunately, his lack of speed may be unable to be overcome. A solid press corner, he will add depth to the Bills squad.

Round 7, Pick 220: Ellis Lankster, CB, West Virginia
His height (5-9) will be hard to overcome, and Lankster might need to make a move to safety if he wishes to play in the NFL. As a corner, Lankster was willing to play the run, and his physicality may allow him to make the transition to a safety.

Favorite Pick: Eric Wood-Teams are built from the inside out, and the trenches must be solid for any team to be successful. Wood gives the Bills a solid building block upon which they can construct their line, whether it be at center, guard or tackle.

A look at 2009-
Positions to watch:
TE-Last year's starter, Robert Royal, was released, and the spot is open to anyone. While the Bills have guys with hands and guys with blocking skills, they still are looking for someone who can do both.
OT-With the trade of Jason Peters, the Bills need to find a suitable replacement, fast. They drafted a couple of offensive line prospects, but neither appears to be able to step in at left tackle right away. If they don't find someone before the season starts, QB Trent Edwards won't have time to throw to his two star receivers.
WR-The signing of TO allows the other Bills receivers to go back to their spots as role players. Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed can move back to the slot, and James Hardy can be used as a red-zone option. Trent Edwards needs time to throw, however, and if their line breaks down, look for the season to do the same.

Baltimore Ravens-Draft Review and Season Preview

2009-05-05T20:04:00.004-10:00

The Baltimore Ravens entered this draft with two positions in mind: offensive tackle and wide receiver. While they didn't get the wide receiver they were looking for, they did pick up a pretty good OT in Michael Oher. A look at their entire draft:

Round 1, Pick 23: Michael Oher, OT, Mississipi
Oher began the season as a top 10 pick, but questions about his ability to pick up an offense caused his draft stock to slide. However, his physical tools are never questioned, as he is constantly able to maul defenders

Round 2, Pick 57: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah
One of the better stories in the draft, not only was Kruger stabbed in January 2008, he was already living with one kidney. A high end motor player, Kruger looks to move to OLB for the 3-4 oriented Ravens.

Round 3, Pick 88: Lardarius Webb, CB, Nicholls State
Comes in with a myriad of disadvantages (listed at 5-10, 179, small school product), but will be given a chance to develop. Webb plays bigger than his size, and has been compared by some to another undersized defensive back, hard-hitting Bob Sanders.

Round 5, Pick 137: Jason Phillips, LB, TCU
Phillips stock dropped when he injured his knee at the Combine, but was a tackling machine at TCU. Looks to start off on special teams; was noted for his passion and intelligence on the field.

Round 5, Pick 149: Davon Drew, TE, ECU
The converted QB looks to be an H-back candidate due to his size and hands. Drew has a great chance to improve with experience as this past year was only his second at his position.

Round 6: Pick 185: Cedric Peerman, RB, Virgina
A leader at Virginia, Peerman looks to have a role on special teams. Averaged 97.5 rushing yards per game before getting injured in Week 6, including three 100-yard rushing games.

Favorite pick: Michael Oher-While questions revolve around his ability to grasp an offense, his talent can't be ignored, especially at such a high-demand position. The Ravens were lucky to get him this late.

A look at 2009-
Positions to watch:
WR-They still haven't added a wide receiver this offseason, and Derrick Mason isn't getting any younger. Mark Clayton hasn't lived up to the hype from his rookie year, and Yamon Figurs looks to be more of a return-specialist.
ILB-Now that Bart Scott is gone, Tavares Goodson is expected to replace him in the starting lineup. Goodson, a 3rd round pick out of Miami in 2008, played in 3 games last year, amassing 5 tackles.
TE-With the signing of L.J. Smith, the Ravens now have two talented, but also injury prone, tight ends. Both have had productive seasons in the past, but injuries have slowed them over the past two years. The Ravens hope for one of them to reassert themselves as a quality TE.

New Blog

2009-05-05T19:59:00.002-10:00

Hey guys,

If there is anyone reading, I'm starting up a new blog on the "Big 3" in sports, baseball, basketball and football. My favorite pro teams are the Mariners, Bulls and Packers. My favorite college basketball team is the Duke Blue Devils and my college football team is the Oregon State Beavers. I don't have anything against hockey, soccer, lacrosse, etc., it is just that I am not as knowledgeable on those sports. I will try to blog as often as possible, hopefully every day, but I will not be perfect. If you like this blog, please spread the word and tell your friends. If you don't, tell them anyway. Just kidding...sorta. Anyway, I'm gonna begin with a look at each NFL team and their draft and how their upcoming season is looking.

Thanks,

packerbacker11